MC1-Urban+Ecology

=Marsh Creek 1 - Urban Ecology=

__Overview __
In Sandy Springs, the urban condition is present and has an enormous impact on the local ecosystem. With that said, the low-density, middle-density, and high-density residential areas make up "approximately 49.3% of the land in Sandy Springs," according to the Fulton //County 2025 Comprehensive Plan, Land Use Elements// publication. The City of Sandy Springs is considered a bedroom community to the Atlanta metropolitan area. There is no agriculture reported within the Sandy Springs city limits. The remaining land use is roughly broken down as 25.6% developed and 25.1% undeveloped. The developed portion includes commercial, infrastructure, utilities, transportation, government, and industrial land uses, resulting in high levels of impervious surfaces. The undeveloped portion includes forest, water resources/flood plain, vacant, and private/public recreation, providing a large portion of permeable surfaces. In total, approximately 75% of the land is developed and urban.

__Tree Assessment Chart __
On 21 June 2012, a tree assessment was conducted at the Marsh Creek Site One. Ten trees were located and investigated. The bark was inspected and noted. Leaves were collected from the trees and, combined with the bark, used to identify the different trees. The Native //Trees of Georgia// by G. Norman Bishop from the University of Georgia is the resource material used in tree identification. The trees were evaluated in order to better assess the condition of the urban stream. As a headwater stream, the water depth is rarely at sufficent levels to support fish or invertebrates. These are good indicators of the stream's biotic integrity.



The chart above consists of 10 sample trees monitored along the stream bank or in close vicinity to the stream. These trees were selected at random and were found to be in very good condition in accordance with the U.S. Forest Service guidelines. The probability for failure is low for all of the listed trees except for the tree No. 5 (LIST species). Stream erosion, over time, has partially undercut the bank around the tree roots and, in time, the weight of this enormous species will cause it to topple. (See picture documentation below.)



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